Liquid Propane Vs. Natural Gas: Which Is The Best Gas For Heating The Home

Propane vs. Natural Gas…For years a comparison based on the properties and efficiency of gases used for heating the home and powering up electrical appliances has been on. While a lot of people would prefer liquid propane, others would say natural gas is the best which has led to a lot of “propane vs. natural gas” debatable comparisons between both.

The first misconception a larger percentage of the population usually promote is that using liquid propane on its own is completely unnecessary and irrelevant. This is because natural gas contains a whole range of different gases; propane, butane, methane, and ethane. However, propane can be further isolated and sold at high prices by propane dealers in gallons. It is then converted to natural gas standard in cubic feet.

This article would be beneficial to homeowners as it will provide information, regarding which of these gases is preferable for use based on cost, environmental factors, and others.

BTU Comparison

Propane takes the lead with this one, as it contains more than twice the energy of natural gas. While one cubic foot of propane is equivalent to 2,516 BTUs, natural gas has only 1,030 BTUs. This feature makes it more efficient.

Cost

The second consideration for comparison in this Natural gas vs. Propane debate is the cost. New homeowners with newly paid mortgages would typically seek to purchase the best and affordable gas for their homes. The cost of these gases are calculated based on their BUI ratings; if natural gas costs $15 for 1000 cubic feet this means it would go for around one million BTUs which is the equivalent of 11.20 gallons of propane. This makes natural gas the cheaper option.

Heating Efficiency

As mentioned earlier, propane (2,516BTUs) gives off more energy compared to natural gas (1,030BTUs). For example, in a space of one hour, a 100,000BTU furnace of natural gas burns around 97 cubic feet while propane gas burns at 40 cubic feet making it the best option for heating your home.

Safety

Natural gas is lighter in its composition compared to propane, giving it the ability to quickly diffuse into the atmosphere if leaked. Propane, however, can stay in the atmosphere for a longer time, making it unsafe compared to the natural gas.

Environmental Factors

The question of which of these gases are not eco-friendly is somewhat difficult to answer considering the fact they are all “clean burning” gases. Natural gas is considered a “greenhouse gas” and burns clean like propane which is called a green fuel. They both win in this section of the “natural gas vs. propane” debate, as they are both harmless to the environment.

Ultimately the utilization of any one of these gases should be based solely on your budget, and what your needs are. If you need a gas that has optimum heating efficiency, propane gas is the best option. However, if you prefer a low-cost gas that is clean and eco-friendly as well then the natural gas is your best pick.